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Calm urged after terror arrests Calm urged after terror arrests
(about 4 hours later)
Muslims in Birmingham will be urged to keep calm by community leaders, two days after nine men were arrested over an alleged kidnapping plot.Muslims in Birmingham will be urged to keep calm by community leaders, two days after nine men were arrested over an alleged kidnapping plot.
Police are continuing to question the nine, who are suspected of planning to kidnap and murder a UK Muslim soldier.Police are continuing to question the nine, who are suspected of planning to kidnap and murder a UK Muslim soldier.
Clerics at Birmingham's central mosque will ask Muslims to maintain their poise and dignity, amid fears many are sceptical of police intelligence.Clerics at Birmingham's central mosque will ask Muslims to maintain their poise and dignity, amid fears many are sceptical of police intelligence.
The West Midlands force has handed out leaflets to try to reassure Muslims.The West Midlands force has handed out leaflets to try to reassure Muslims.
Some 5,000 leaflets outlined that the arrests targeted criminals - not a particular faith or community.Some 5,000 leaflets outlined that the arrests targeted criminals - not a particular faith or community.
Map: Birmingham arrestsMap: Birmingham arrests
They included details on what to do if anyone comes under attack as a consequence of the raids and were translated from English into Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu.They included details on what to do if anyone comes under attack as a consequence of the raids and were translated from English into Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu.
"Our role is to protect, reassure and support all communities. Our message to you is to be patient and vigilant," the leaflets state.
Cabinet informedCabinet informed
The men were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Wednesday over what security sources say was a plan to film an execution-style murder of a British soldier and post it on the web.The men were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Wednesday over what security sources say was a plan to film an execution-style murder of a British soldier and post it on the web.
People are annoyed with the way it all happened - they don't understand why police would need to do it that way Sonia Deol, BBC Asian Network Radio listeners speak outPeople are annoyed with the way it all happened - they don't understand why police would need to do it that way Sonia Deol, BBC Asian Network Radio listeners speak out
The arrests - orchestrated by police and the security service MI5 - followed many months of activity.The arrests - orchestrated by police and the security service MI5 - followed many months of activity.
Detectives have been given a seven-day extension to the initial 48-hour period allowed under anti-terror laws. On Thursday police were given a seven-day extension to the initial 48-hour period allowed under anti-terror laws.
They can hold terrorism suspects for a maximum of 28 days without charge.They can hold terrorism suspects for a maximum of 28 days without charge.
Forensic teams have been combing 12 premises across Birmingham, and police said earlier that the investigation was likely to continue for "days, if not weeks".Forensic teams have been combing 12 premises across Birmingham, and police said earlier that the investigation was likely to continue for "days, if not weeks".
On Thursday morning, Home Secretary John Reid updated the Cabinet on the situation, Downing Street sources said.
Rumours deniedRumours denied
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said the Ministry of Defence was worried such alleged plots could hinder efforts to recruit more Muslims.BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said the Ministry of Defence was worried such alleged plots could hinder efforts to recruit more Muslims.
There are currently about 300 Muslims in the armed forces - out of a total of 100,000 personnel.There are currently about 300 Muslims in the armed forces - out of a total of 100,000 personnel.
Zeeshan Hashmi - whose brother L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi became the first British Muslim soldier to be killed in Afghanistan last July - said rumours he was the target of the alleged plot were untrue.Zeeshan Hashmi - whose brother L/Cpl Jabron Hashmi became the first British Muslim soldier to be killed in Afghanistan last July - said rumours he was the target of the alleged plot were untrue.
Mr Hashmi, from Bordesley Green in Birmingham, also served in Afghanistan but is now studying in Cambridge.
He told BBC News: "Initially people thought it was I, but, no, to make it very, very clear, I wasn't at the centre of the plot."
Sources 'confident'Sources 'confident'
Shortly after 0400 GMT, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests. Shortly after 0400 GMT on Wednesday, officers swooped on 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas and made eight arrests.
Among the properties raided were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.Among the properties raided were two houses and a general food store in Alum Rock and the Maktabah book store in Stratford Road, Sparkhill.
Less than 12 hours later, police announced in a press conference they had arrested a ninth person on a motorway in the Birmingham area. Police later arrested a ninth person on a motorway in the Birmingham area.
Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said kidnappings in the UK would be "much nearer a form of psychological warfare that we've seen obviously elsewhere".Dame Pauline Neville-Jones, former chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, said kidnappings in the UK would be "much nearer a form of psychological warfare that we've seen obviously elsewhere".
Many local people said they had been shocked by Wednesday's arrests and the scale of the operation.Many local people said they had been shocked by Wednesday's arrests and the scale of the operation.
BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said security sources and police were confident about the intelligence that led to Wednesday's raids.BBC correspondent Gordon Corera said security sources and police were confident about the intelligence that led to Wednesday's raids.
Police have set up an information line on 0121 626 6663.Police have set up an information line on 0121 626 6663.
BIRMINGHAM ARRESTS 1. Two properties raided in Jackson Road, Alum Rock 2. House raided in nearby Foxton Road3. End of terrace house searched in Poplar Road, Sparkhill4. Bookshop raided in Stratford Road Further raids at Ward End Park Road (5) and Asquith Road (6)Police also searched properties on Showell Green Lane (7) and Golden Hillock Road (8) near SparkhillPolice are reported to have also raided properties in the Edgbaston (9) and Kingstanding (10) areas of the cityBIRMINGHAM ARRESTS 1. Two properties raided in Jackson Road, Alum Rock 2. House raided in nearby Foxton Road3. End of terrace house searched in Poplar Road, Sparkhill4. Bookshop raided in Stratford Road Further raids at Ward End Park Road (5) and Asquith Road (6)Police also searched properties on Showell Green Lane (7) and Golden Hillock Road (8) near SparkhillPolice are reported to have also raided properties in the Edgbaston (9) and Kingstanding (10) areas of the city
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Are you a Muslim serving in the army? What impact has this story had on you and your community? Do you think recruitment into the army from Muslim communities could be affected?Are you a Muslim serving in the army? What impact has this story had on you and your community? Do you think recruitment into the army from Muslim communities could be affected?
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